Vanuatu Parliamentary Secretary for Prime Minister Johny Koanapo (left) with Jubi journalist Victor Mambor after an interview at UNHRC, Geneva in February 2017 – Doc. Jubi
Jayapura, Jubi – Vanuatu Prime Minister Charlot Salwai admitted that although the Pacific Leaders’ Forum (PIF) in Samoa last week discussed West Papua as an agenda item, some PIF members considered West Papua a sensitive issue and did not want the forum to make a decision.

However, Salwai, who leads the West Papua lobby during the PIF, also acknowledged support for the West Papua issue continues to grow.
"If last year seven countries, including Vanuatu and Solomon Islands, are currently the eight countries that joined the Paciifc Islands Coalition for West Papua (PICWP)," Salwai told the Daily Post last week.

These eight countries will bring the West Papua issue before the United Nations General Assembly session that will begin next week in New York, USA.

"So far, Vanuatu has continued to commit itself to pioneering the West Papua problem, through government, civil society and churches and this year we are bringing this issue to the African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) forum," Salwai continued.

Vanuatu Parliamentary Secretary for the Prime Minister’s Office, Johny Koanapo, told Jubi via e-mail Sunday that the efforts of Vanuatu and Solomon Islands in the Pacific have shown significant progress. If previously, the West Papua issue is just a bilateral issue and a regional issue in Melanesia, now West Papua’s advocacy has spread far and wide in the Pacific.

"The West Papua issue has passed the Melanesian Spearhead Groups where we have different opinions on how to deal with the West Papua issue. But this problem has moved beyond the jurisdiction of MSG, "he said.

Not only the Vanuatu government and the Solomon Islands government, Koanapo continued, currently other countries in Micronesia and Polynesia have joined the PICWP established since a year ago.

"Kiribati is a country that joins in 2017 after seven other countries, namely Vanuatu, Solomon Islands, Nauru, Marshall Islands, Palau, Tuvalu and Tonga established PICWP," Koanapo said.

Widespread issue of West Papua in the Pacific is certainly demanding more jobs for Vanuatu who has been a country that constantly mensing the interests of the people and people of West Papua. One of them, said Koanapo is to bring West Papua as one of the agenda at the EU ministerial forum through ACP forum.

"This is the first time in history that the West Papua issue has become an agenda in ACP involving EU countries," Koanapo said.

Koanapo noted interesting things in Vanuatu’s lobbying efforts in the European Union. As he bilaterally lobbied on behalf of the Government of Vanuatu with the Belgian Government last June, Belgium said that they never realized there was a problem in West Papua. Because West Papua is an issue hidden in "behind the carpet" because the press is never allowed to go freely to see West Papuans and hear from them what is happening and their views on their fate.

"It is a sad reality that is there (West Papua)," Koanapo said.

Furthermore, several Pacific governments have agreed to take on the role of West Papua advocacy at various levels because every country and its citizens have an obligation to defend human rights.

"The prime ministers of Vanuatu and Solomon Islands are organizing a side event at the UN General Assembly in New York next week to continue to lobby for the West Papua issue, as well as the political statement of the eight-member leader of the UN General Assembly," Koanapo concluded.

In June, the ACP Council of Ministers in Brussels claimed to have heard a joint statement from the governments of Vanuatu, Solomon Island, Tonga, Tuvalu, Nauru, Palau and Marshall Island. The seven Pacific nations condemned Indonesia’s human rights abuses in West Papua. In addition, they called for a resolution supporting political rights for West Papua to self-determination.

However, the Indonesian Embassy in New Zealand said that the ACP meeting was without addressing the West Papua issue.

"The call to re-draw the Indonesian border by some politicians in Vanuatu, Solomon Island and others, is just nonsense and irrational. This strangeness is the talk of desperate and vulnerable political leaders who continue to rule, "wrote the Indonesian Embassy in New Zealand in a release quoted by various media in Indonesia at that time. (*)

Ardern to raise human rights issues with Indonesia's President March 19, 2018

He was met by a lone protester repeatedly yelling "Free West Papua". Later, in a short address before the official state lunch with Governor General Dame Patsy Reddy, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters, Mr Widodo said he had been delighted to learn how much ...

Small West Papua protest during Jokowi visit to NZ parliament March 19, 2018

Indonesia's president was greeted by protestors calling for West Papuan independence when he arrived at New Zealand's parliament this afternoon. A sing-off on the steps of the New Zealand parliament between protestors and Indonesians during president Joko Widodo's visit to Wellington. 19 March ...

Small West Papua protest during Jokowi visit to NZ parliament March 19, 2018

Small West Papua protest during Jokowi visit to NZ parliament – Similar News. Small West Papua protest during Jokowi visit to NZ parliament. in 6 hours. Radio New Zealand · Ardern appearance surprises Greenpeace petitioners. in 3 hours. Newstalk ZB New Zealand Similar · Weekly Digest of Central ...

Small West Papua protest during Jokowi visit to NZ parliament March 19, 2018

Alongside them, outnumbered but not diminished, around twenty people calling for an end to human rights abuses in West Papua. Things became rowdy, but as the official Indonesian motorcade arrived, the protestors barely had time to make their point as Jokowi stepped out of his car and disappeared ...

A small group of protesters hold signs reading March 19, 2018

A small group of protesters hold signs reading 'Free West Papua' outside the parliament in Wellington as Indonesia's President Joko Widodo visits the city on March 19, 2018. Widodo is in New Zealand after attending the ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations)-Australia special summit in ...

Susi Pudjiastuti Expects West Papua To Export Fish March 19, 2018

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Minister Susi Pudjiastuti expected West Papua to enter the international trade by exporting fish, especially which of catched by traditional fishermen. Susi said to had met PT Pelindo IV to discuss the matter. Susi stated the plan will be implemented ...

Pacific Catholic Bishops to meet next month in PNG March 19, 2018

A New Zealand bishop, Charles Drennan, said the conference is also very mindful of ongoing unrest and a questionable military presence in West Papua. He said there are also concerns at the growing influence of "unsavoury business and political interests buying influence in the Pacific". The Vatican's ...

Indonesia's Widodo visits Pukeahu war memorial March 19, 2018

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has been urged to raise the issue of West Papua, which had been fighting for independence from Indonesia, in her meeting with Mr Widodo this afternoon. Mr Widodo and his wife Ibu Iriana Joko Widodo were greeted at Pukeahu by Defence Minister Ron Mark, former chief ...

Resettlement in PNG was never a viable option March 19, 2018

I told her of my experience with seven West Papuan asylum seekers in 2013 who had raised the Morning Star flag in West Papua with the support of Australia activists. Raising the Morning Star is a crime in Indonesia, and the seven young men (one was a child) were pursued by the Indonesian military ...

Indonesian President welcomed to NZ March 19, 2018

West Papua Action Auckland is calling for Ardern to raise human rights issues with Widodo over the Indonesian province that has been fighting for independence for decades. It is customary for visiting heads of state to hold a press conference after meeting with the Prime Minister, but it is understood ...

Indonesian President Joko Widodo visits Pukeahu National War Memorial March 18, 2018

A lone protester was heard repeatedly yelling "Free West Papua". Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has been urged to raise the issue of West Papua, which had been fighting for independence from Indonesia, in her meeting with Widodo this afternoon. Widodo and his wife, Ibu Iriana Joko Widodo, were ...

Keep swimming March 18, 2018

Keep swimming Greenpeace activists from the Rainbow Warrior ship unfold a poster thats reads “Save Reef, More Fish” during a diving session at Raja Ampat, West Papua, on Sunday. Greenpeace's Rainbow Warrior has been sailing Rama Ampat, considered one of the best diving spots in the world, ...

Indonesian president's visit marks 60 years of relations with NZ March 18, 2018

Paying his respects at the tomb of the unknown soldier on Monday, he was met by a lone protester repeatedly yelling "Free West Papua". ... Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern had been urged to raise the issue of West Papua, which had been fighting for independence from Indonesia, in her meeting with ...

Most interesting photos from Fakfak, West Papua, Indonesia March 18, 2018

Flickriver - view images as a 'river of photos' and more...

Yali tribe Yali who live in the west papua Indonesia is a major tribal March 18, 2018

Derived . "Before They Pass Away," series of the world's remotest tribes, members of the ancient indigenous Huli Tribe of Ambua Falls of Papua New Guinea photographed Yali tribe: Yali who live in the west papua Indonesia, is a major tribal group living in a very isoleted and inaccessible area of ...

nuruai pani March 18, 2018

Another great song from the West Papua music legend Black Brothers. Lagu dari Papua - Indonesia. NABIRE AMPI GROUP BAND. BLACK BROTHERS. An awesome Vanessa Quai version of "Nuruaipani" a sentimental hyme song of West Papua - performed by Vanessa Quai. BAHASA TIMIKA(mimika).

Papua Books in PDF, ePub, Docs March 18, 2018

West Papua Indonesia Since Suharto PDF, ePub Books. Books papua full online in PDF, Kindle format, this History books, This book reviews the long guerilla struggle of the 'Organisasi Papua Merdeka' (OPM) for a Free Papua, and traces the rise of a non-violent independence movement alongside it, ...

Papua private guide March 18, 2018

Discover much more of Papua & west Papua province with your very own, personal, private guide! I am proud to be recommended as a private guide in Papua & west-Papua province in Lonely Planet Book as: Trek-Papua tours & Travel, Ltd since 2010 and in the new book of lonely planet book which ...

Email Subscription

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.